Assistive Technology for Kansans: Helping people find technology solutions to enhance learning, participation and safety

1. Assistive Technology for Kansans: Helping people find technology solutions to enhance learning, participation and safety Sara Sack, Program Director Autism Across the Lifespan

2. Roadmap • Overview of statewide Technology Act program • Assistive technology categories • Assistive technology solutions for safety, learning and participation

3. Assistive Technology for Kansans • Lead agency is the KU Lifespan Institute at Parsons • Each state and territory has a Technology Act Program • All statewide AT programs provide four core services (device borrowing, device demonstration, device refurbish and reuse, financing activities) in addition to product information, public awareness, and training • Statewide AT Expo, training workshops • ATK Device Loan System • Kansas has five AT Access Sites and one affiliate office

4. AT Access Sites & Affiliate Locations • Western AT Access Site, NW Educational Service Center, Oakley • Southwest Affiliate, Southwest Center for Independent Living, Garden City • 800-295-4122 • North Central AT Access Site, OCCK, Salina • South Central AT Access Site, SKIL, Wichita • Northeast AT Access Site, Resource Center for Independent Living, Topeka • SE AT Access Site, SKIL, Parsons • Management, Kansas University Center on Disabilities – Parsons • 866-666-1470 800-KAN DO IT 800-526-3648

5. ATK’s Partnerships include: • ATK Advisory Council composed of a simple majority of consumers, family members along with State Agency representatives • Seeking individuals who use AT and/or family members from NE, SC and NC Kansas regions • Kansas Health Policy Authority • Kansas Infant Toddler Services • Kansas Rehabilitation Services • Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities • Kansas AgrAbility (K-State)

6. Assistive technology is… • “any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities” --Tech Act 1988

7. Each Assistive Technology Access Site has… • Assistive technology specialists that have knowledge and expertise in the various categories of assistive technology that can work with the individuals to try to identify technology solutions to meet their goals • Individuals who can assist in identifying public and private funding sources and assist in creating funding requests • Access to equipment for regional and statewide loan

8. Wide range of AT Solutions to Meet Individual Needs . . . • Vision • Screen reader software—attempts to identify and interpret what is being displayed on the screen • Many applications to choose from depending upon platform, cost, use, etc. • Microsoft Narrator included in Windows 2000 • Apple, Inc. MAC OS X includes Voice Over • Many, many other options available • True color, full spectrum lighting • Portable and handheld magnification devices • Talking and LCD display watches, health devices, thermometers

9. More AT Solutions . . . • Hearing • Assistive listening and FM devices • Portable, digital devices with text support (CAP phones, cell phones, Ubi Duo) • Alarm clocks with light signals • Kansas Telecommunications Access Program

10. More AT Solutions . . . • Speech communication • Non-electronic line drawing, photo and object systems • Electronic systems with preprogrammed messages, limited ability to send novel messages • Electronic systems with robust language systems and capacity to generate novel messages • Learning, cognition and developmental • Reading and writing software • Organizational software • Personal digital assistants (PDAs) • Wayfinding (GPS)

11. More AT Solutions . . . • Mobility, seating, and positioning • Full range of loan and reuse devices • Daily living • Memory aids and medication reminders • Devices for personal care and grooming • Money recognition devices, budgeting aids • Environmental adaptations • TA regarding environmental rearrangement • Environmental control units

12. And still more AT Solutions . . . • Computers and related • Ergonomic peripherals • Text to speech software • Recreation, sports and leisure • Adapted switches and toys • Swim vests and therapeutic swim rafts • Adapted tricycles

13. Personal Safety Alarm - Children • Solutions for outings with children who wander or dash off • Child Locator & Child Locator Alert • www.mypreciouskid.com/child-locator.html • $29.99 - $39.99 • Non-audible solutions: Lost & Found Child Tatoos, Kid Dog Tags, Velcro ID Bracelets • www.mypreciouskid.com/child-locator.html • $29.99 - $39.99

14. Personal Safety & Wayfinding Solutions • Small GPS units • Spark Nano • http://www.brickhousesecurity.com/covert-small-gps-tracking-device.html • $299.95 (does not include service plan) • Extremely rugged, extremely sensitive GPS tracker • Amber Alert GPS • https://www.amberalertgps.com/ • $379.00 (works with cellphone with mapping or GPS capabilities) • Safe zone, SOS button, speed alert, temperature alert, bread crumbing, destination alert, voice monitoring

15. Personal Safety Alarms • Electronic warning devices for the home • Talking Motion Detective – monitors up to 6 areas and provides warning to caregiver as well as a message to the individual • http://www.alzstore.com/index.html • $152.95 • Floor mat with wireless remote alarm – sets off remote alert so caregiver is aware the individual got out of bed • http://www.alzstore.com/index.html • $274.95

16. In-home Safety Solutions • Devices that prohibit access to cupboard contents or rooms/spaces that are off limits • Confounding door lock – no key required, rotate and pull door-jamb blocker on in-swinging door • http://www.alzstore.com/index.html • $27.95 • Invisible cabinet lock – lock mounts inside the door, magnetic “key” placed on outside of door to release the lock • http://www.alzstore.com/index.html • $17.95

17. General Safety Solutions • Automatic faucet control • Allows you to set the water temperature and the user touches the wand to activate the water. The water turns off when pressure on the wand is released. • $14.95 (major hardware and lumber supply stores) • Automatic water shut-off • Prevents overflow of water if faucet not turned off • $9.95 (major hardware and lumber supply stores)

18. Communication Solutions • Telephone Access • Photo Touch N Dial – preprogram up to 24 individuals or contacts (friends, emergency, medical), plugs into existing telephone • http://www.alzstore.com/index.html • $79.95 • Possible funding option, Kansas TAP • http://www.kansastap.org/ • Memo Minder – holds 20 – 30 seconds of a preprogrammed message for emergency purposes • http://www.vtk.com.hk/rec_903.html • Approximately $5 - $10.00

19. Communication Solutions • Emergent Communication • Tangible Symbols – part, miniatures, abstract symbols used for basic communication messages • http://www.ohsu.edu/oidd/d2l/ts/tsmat.html • $44.00 (manual); $31.00 (video) • PECS – picture exchange communication system designed to move the child on to other communication supports • http://www.polyxo.com/visualsupport/pecs.html • $142.00 for the starter kit

20. Communication Solutions • Logan ProxTalker – moveable picture communication system with speech output • http://www.proxtalker.com/ • $2,395 • Sequencing Devices – provides communication messages for activities with nonfamiliar partners • http://www.ablenetinc.com/ • Step by Step Communicator • $160.00

21. Communication Solutions • ChatPC and Palmtop3 – preprogrammed symbols with quality voice output that can be chained for conversations. Allows user to type messages. • http://www.dynavoxtech.com/products/palm3 • Text to Speech devices – allow user to type messages that are spoken. Word prediction is a common feature. • K2000 • Allora • Dynawrite • Light Writer

22. Communication Solutions • Tango • Device with preprogrammed symbols sorted by times of day, common settings. Voices and vocabulary are tailored by gender, age and mobility. Allows user to generate novel messages, imports pictures for new vocabulary. • http://www.dynavoxtech.com/products/tango/ • Proloquo2Go • Software downloaded to an iTouch or iPhone that provides 7,000 preprogrammed messages that can be combined for voice output. Allows novel messages to be typed. Photos can be uploaded. • http://www.proloquo2go.com/

23. Contact us . . . • AT Access Sites – 800-526-3648 • ATK Device Loan System – 785-827-9383 • Online inventory coming soon! • ATK KU staff – 620-421-8367 • If you have suggestions about inventory • If you would like to be more involved with the program • If you have equipment or money to donate

24. Questions, Comments . . . • Sara Sack, ATK & KEE Director • ssack@ku.edu • 620-421-8367